YOUR TRANSITION PLAN
Returning to food after completing an elemental diet is a meaningful next step.
You have already made transformational progress, and it is natural to want to protect the results you have worked toward. We are here to support you through a gentle, guided transition back to eating.
For deeper, food specific guidance, we recommend exploring resources from our sister company, Good LFE.
If you are looking for the most personalized approach, working with a registered GI dietitian can help you create a plan tailored to your unique needs and goals.
General Tips for Returning to Food
Transitioning off an elemental diet should feel structured, not stressful. The goal is to reintroduce food in a way that supports continued balance while letting your digestive system gradually resume normal function. These tips will help you move forward with clarity and confidence.
TIP 01.
Check in with your Doctor
Depending on your condition, they may advise for follow-up tests, such as a breath test, to check your GI function. Depending on the results, some patients may require more time on the elemental diet after the initial course. This is also a great time to speak with your doctor about any recommended follow up protocols or additional therapies to help sustain remission.
TIP 02.
Skip the Blender
You do not need to start with just broth, or puree any of your first meals. It’s best to reintroduce solid foods right away to “wake up” the gut after its rest and recovery. We suggest starting with a small group of low-fat, low-fiber foods in their simplest forms. On the first few days, start with light easy-to-digest food such as eggs, sourdough toast or French baguettes, turkey or tuna sandwiches, lean poultry, fish, pork, rice (white, jasmine or sushi), potatoes, pasta, and noodles.
TIP 03.
Meal Spacing
Space meals at least four hours apart to give your digestive system enough time to finish processing each meal. Every few hours, the GI tract experiences contractions, known as “cleansing waves,” in order to clear out undigested food and bacteria. Snacking interferes with this natural cleaning cycle and should be avoided.
TIP 04.
Start with Small Portions
During a liquid diet, your stomach may shrink in size.Start with small portions and gradually increase them as you observe how your body responds.
TIP 05.
Stay Hydrated
Adequate hydration is essential for digestive health. Drink plenty of water to support your body’s digestive processes.
TIP 06.
Chew Food Slowly
Chewing stimulates your body’s digestive enzymes and secretions, and the more you chew, the more you tell your brain to switch the gut on and process your food.
TIP 07.
Hold Off on Trigger Foods
Wait at least one week before reintroducing foods that previously triggered symptoms. Introduce them gradually, one at a time, and monitor for side effects. If a trigger food causes a reaction, remove it for a week, then try again. If symptoms persist, continue avoiding that ingredient. Do not reintroduce known food allergens without consulting your doctor.
TIP 08.
Partial Elemental Transition
Smaller portions, combined with spacing meals hours apart, can leave people feeling hungry. You may want to consider using mBIOTA Elemental shakes as supplemental nutrition to keep your calorie count and energy level up during the first few days of transitioning back to solid food.
TIP 09.
Keep a Food Journal
Track what you eat and how you feel afterward to help you identify foods that should be avoided, or introduced more gradually.
A Gentle Note
Everyone’s gut is unique, and your transition back to solid foods will be too.
It’s normal for digestion to feel a little different at first. Some people notice softer or more frequent stools, others feel full more quickly, and mild bloating can happen along the way. These changes are usually temporary. Your digestive system can take up to two weeks to fully readjust, so move slowly and give your body the time it needs.
If discomfort continues or symptoms worsen, we recommend checking in with a healthcare professional to rule out underlying issues or consider dietary modifications.
MAINTAINING YOUR PROGRESS
About Low Fermentation Eating (LFE)
Once your body has settled back into solid foods, we recommend following a Low Fermentation Eating (LFE) approach to help support long-term balance and reduce the risk of symptom return.
THE 7-DAY FOOD TRANSITION GUIDE
Download Our Guide for Returning to Solid Foods
To ease your transition back from an elemental diet, we’ve created a set of general guidelines for returning to solid foods, including when to reintroduce specific food types, a detailed meal plan for your first seven days, and bonus recipes developed by a registered dietitian.
Developed in partnership with GI dietitian, Robin Berlin, RDN, this guide follows the principles of the Low Fermentation Eating (LFE) diet. As always, check with your health care provider before starting any new diet protocol to make sure it suits your individual needs and diagnosis.
